There’s an extensive network of scenic, well-waymarked walking and hiking trails on Pico. Those designated ‘easy’ are generally suitable for easy-to-moderate trail running, while ‘medium’ or ‘difficult’ trails are hilly, longer, and can feature challenging footing. PRO TIP: We highly Atipico for a guided hike up 2,351m Mount Pico. We had a great experience with our guide, Monica.
A few of our favorites in the ‘easy’ category:
Caminho das Voltas. Choose a section of this 22 km interior trail that runs between Cruz and Junqueira. Passes through a couple of nature preserves. Combination of woods, pastures, and beautiful flora and fauna.
Mistérios do Sul do Pico. Up to 8.7 km one-way. Follows the middle part of the southern coast between Companhia de Cima and Silveira. Lava fields, great water views, tidal pools and ‘natural’ swimming areas. About 1/3 of the route is along road. For those who want a mainly road section, choose the ~2 km section from Silveira headed west.
Vinhas da Criação Velha. Visitazores.com
Vinhas da Criação Velha. Up to 6.9 km one-way. A fantastic trail just south of Madalena that’s not very hilly. The trail alternates between interior sections highlighting Pico’s vineyards, with wonderful coastal views from higher ground, and some sections along the coast. About 1/3 on road.
Interior Roads. There are some lovely roads for running on the southwest part of the island, just south of Madalena and inland from Monte. These unnamed roads are lightly trafficked and wind through a combination of woods and farmland. For a less hilly option, we recommend driving east of the ER1 in the area between Criacao Velha and Candelaria, and running the roads north-south. This will be more rolling hills.
There’s an extensive network of scenic, well-waymarked walking and hiking trails on Pico. Those designated ‘easy’ are generally suitable for easy-to-moderate trail running, while ‘medium’ or ‘difficult’ trails are hilly, longer, and can feature challenging footing. PRO TIP: We highly Atipico for a guided hike up 2,351m Mount Pico. We had a great experience with our guide, Monica.
A few of our favorites in the ‘easy’ category:
Caminho das Voltas. Choose a section of this 22 km interior trail that runs between Cruz and Junqueira. Passes through a couple of nature preserves. Combination of woods, pastures, and beautiful flora and fauna.
Mistérios do Sul do Pico. Up to 8.7 km one-way. Follows the middle part of the southern coast between Companhia de Cima and Silveira. Lava fields, great water views, tidal pools and ‘natural’ swimming areas. About 1/3 of the route is along road. For those who want a mainly road section, choose the ~2 km section from Silveira headed west.
Vinhas da Criação Velha. Visitazores.com
Vinhas da Criação Velha. Up to 6.9 km one-way. A fantastic trail just south of Madalena that’s not very hilly. The trail alternates between interior sections highlighting Pico’s vineyards, with wonderful coastal views from higher ground, and some sections along the coast. About 1/3 on road.
Interior Roads. There are some lovely roads for running on the southwest part of the island, just south of Madalena and inland from Monte. These unnamed roads are lightly trafficked and wind through a combination of woods and farmland. For a less hilly option, we recommend driving east of the ER1 in the area between Criacao Velha and Candelaria, and running the roads north-south. This will be more rolling hills.
A pleasant waterfront run in Ponta Delgada -- capital of the Azores and its largest city. It's one of the few opportunities on São Miguel for a flat, easy run along the water. 10k out and back, and great views!
Easy trail run along a path above the water on the northern coast of São Miguel, between Calhetas and São Vicente Ferreira. Fantastic views the whole way. Path is more of a wide dirt road. Up to 6.5 km one-way.
Easy and scenic 6 km loop on a path around this popular lake. Great views of the lake, surrounding mountains, and lovely trees and flowers. There are hot springs at the lake's southern end. Also possible to run from Furnas (hilly!).
We've scoped out the best options for safe and scenic waterfront running on the island of Terceira. Includes routes in Angra do Heroísmo, Negrito, the area around Fort of Greta, Biscoitos, and Praia da Vitória.
Terceira has a wonderful network of well-waymarked walking and hiking trails. Those that are classified as 'easy' good trail runs for the average runner. Those marked as 'medium' or 'difficult' are more challenging trail running.
Our guide to running on some 30 km of quiet, scenic coastal roads on Pico, including a 13 km cycle path between Madalena and Arcos. Great views of the water and the island's unique landscape: Mt. Pico, farms, vineyards, & lava fields.
We've scoped out some scenic, (relatively) flat waterfront routes on São Jorge island: Velas (including two running tracks!), Calheta, & Urzelina. Trail runners looking for scenery & hills will be in heaven!
A small, scenic, and hilly island! The best, easy waterfront run is in the city of Horta, location of the ferry terminal. Get the heart rate up by adding the road up Monte Guia!
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